ORLANDO—Orlando is high on multifamily and hospitality is a mainstay, but there's another reason you should keep an eye on the tourism-driven city and other post-housing bust markets. So says Auction.com chief economist Peter Muoio.

GlobeSt.com caught up with Muoio to talk about the trends he's seeing in the Southeast markets. Overall, he's bullish on Florida cities like Orlando and Miami.

GlobeSt.com: What are you seeing on the ground? What trends are present?

Muoio: The dynamics vary by property type. The economy of the southeast is quite strong and for the most part we anticipate expansion ahead. The “post-housing bust” markets are finally on a solid growth trend, and that will boost commercial real estate demand in those areas. 

GlobeSt.com: What sectors are hottest and why?

Muoio: Hospitality looks great…  Personal and business travel is increasing strongly, lifting all the Southeast markets. We will have to watch for any impact of the strong dollar and weaker European economy on international travel to Florida but otherwise this sector is really in good shape in the southeast. 

GlobeSt.com: What specific Southeast cities are seeing the most interest and why?

Muoio: Nashville and Raleigh-Durham are hot and investors are noticing. Both boast downtowns that have come alive, which is attractive to Millennials.  They both have strong education and healthcare drivers and burgeoning professional and business services. Raleigh-Durham is also benefitting from the tech and biotech boom. Their attractive lifestyle, costs and job growth are attracting people to move in, boosting population and helping drive residential and retail demand. 

We also recommend that investors pay attention to the “post-housing bust” markets. Atlanta and the various Florida markets went through a severe and prolonged downturn and now have sullied reputations. But now, with housing no longer exerting a drag, their economies are now growing strongly and population growth is picking up. Meanwhile, development is uncharacteristically quiet for the most part, providing a setting for solid gains in commercial real estate fundamentals.